Tank Park Capers.

Hello to all former 8th Hussars, from ’C’ Sqn Clerk. Well it would be if it were 50 years ago and I was in Lüneburg preparing Sqn Orders with the assistance of SSM Jimmy Marshal ! Recently, my mind was drawn to my 8H past when I found, and ordered, a CD in which our regimental march is played - at least I hope it is. I’m after the quick march of the 8th KRI Hussars not the QRI Hussars which I understand is slightly different. (no 8H Regimental Call linking St Patrick's Day with Galloping Eighth Hussar ).
I was only thinking the other day, ( I don’t do that very often and I thought you might like to know ), the last time I heard ‘ Galloping Eighth Hussars’ being played was on an adjudant’s parade in the June or July of 1953. Oh, how we laughed with joy in those days, at the prospect of marching round and round the barrack square at Schliefen Kaserne on alternate Saturday mornings. I recall my friend Matt agog with excitement at the prospect while my friend Maurice wept with joy at the pleasure it afforded him. Made a change I suppose from idling around the tank park on the other Saturday morning. Although I seem to recall really exciting things could occasionally take place. Who were those Cent Mk III drivers who, from a standing start, managed to get in to top gear before running out of tank park ? I never could. Mind you I could do a nice neutral turn and reverse in the hanger without looking behind me, even though most of 4 Troop ran for their lives. Lack of confidence there I think.
Then there was Trooper X, who as a driver had every reason to be seen lying under his tank doing 'something' vaguely mechanical. In fact he would remove an access plate, tie his hands up to whatever the access plate was accessing with string and fall asleep. Anyone bothering to look underneath said tank would see a figure working with his hands up in the secret innards of a Centurion Mk III. What a happy way to spend those long hot Luneburger summers on a scorching tank park.